Trackbed Fund

The route of the Southwold Railway when it was at its peak.

Despite closure in 1929 and being scrapped in 1942, the trackbed of
the Southwold Railway survives almost intact. Halesworth Station is now a
housing estate; Southwold Station site will soon be vacant, with the
Fire and Police Stations demolished. Many civil engineering features
survive, and re-crossing the Blyth (and even burrowing under the A12)
are solvable problems in the long term. We already own approximately 45
chains (half a mile) at Wenhaston, with the remaining trackbed making up
700 chains in total.

The trackbed in Wenhaston near the accommodation crossing

Inspired by similar successful land purchase efforts on behalf of the
Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, we set up (at the 2015 AGM) a Trackbed
Purchase Fund for immediate use in case any further sections of
trackbed become available – for sale or lease. This is inevitably a
long-term ambition, but one which is totally in tune with the
organisation’s charitable aims.

With small diversions inevitable in some places, the plan is to stick
as closely as possible to the historic route. Ownership of the various
sections is in many different hands, and much of it is unused. We are
currently in the process of establishing exactly who owns each section.

To help us achieve our ambitious goal of complete restoration of this
unique and iconic narrow gauge branch line, please donate to the
Trackbed Fund. Make it grow!

To make a donation to the Trackbed Fund please use the Paypal Donate button below.